The 10 Best SLEEPING POSITIONS To Keep You Healthy

Ah, sleep. If you’re anything like me, you absolutely love sleeping. Unfortunately, there are a lot of caveats
to sleeping, such as back problems due to improper sleeping positions.
At some point, everybody needs to sleep, so maximizing the benefits and
minimizing the damage that certain positions could cause is important.
Here are 10 of the best and worst ways to sleep.

1. Sleeping on your back

Sleeping on your back results in a neutral spinal position without
the exertion of force on the back. This is the position that is often
recommended by doctors due to the fact that it helps maintain neck and
spine health. If you want to avoid waking up with a strained neck, this
is the go-to position.

2. Sleeping on your side

People suffering from sleep apnea or constant snoring could benefit
from this sleeping position. It allows the spine to be aligned while
also preventing backache. The issue with sleeping on your side is that
it can potentially cause facial wrinkles, as well as possibly leading to
saggy breasts (due to have your body being pressed to the mattress). As
a result, this position is not recommended for the entire duration of
the night. Side sleepers also experience arm numbness from the pressure
on one side of their body.

3. Sleeping on your stomach

Sleeping on your stomach is a major no-no. This position results in a
significant amount of pressure being placed on your back (particularly
the lumbar spine). It can also result in “pins and needles” in your arms
and legs, which is due to the pressure it applies to joints and
muscles. Breathing is also restricted since your neck is also being
strained.

4. Fetal Position

Fetal position gets its name because of the position that babies take
during their fetal stages in the womb. Unfortunately, as an adult this
is NOT a good position to sleep in. The reason for this is that it can
cause a plethora of neck and back problems, as well as restricting your
breathing. The quality of sleep is hindered due to the restricted
breathing. Psychologists also believe that people who sleep in the fetal
position have a tendency to stress about their lives more than others.

5. Pillow cuddling

If you want better rest but don’t want the accompanied spinal pain,
the pillow cuddling position tends to prove effective. People who sleep
on their stomach should place a pillow beneath their hips in order to
relieve a portion of the stress on the joints. Pillow cuddling is more
of a supplement to other positions than it is a position of its own.

6. Arms up while on your back

Also known as the “starfish,” this position is considered good for
back health. Arms up helps to prevent facial wrinkles, snoring, and even
acid reflux. A downside to this position, however, is that shoulder
discomfort can be experienced due to the position they’re put in. Extra
pillows (looking at you, number 5) can help with this.

7. Couples on the edge of the bed, facing away from each other

People refer to this position as the “pre-divorce” position, but
don’t fret, there’s not much merit to it. This problem becomes an issue
when there is a great deal of distance between partners and a lack of
contact throughout the night. Up to 90% of couples who sleep in this
position are in happy relationships.

8. Spooning

Spooning is considered a stress reliever, but the downside is that it
can result in aches and pains. Psychologists found that physical
contact, even during sleep, can result in reduced stress in both
partners. The issue is that since you’re in a semi-awkward position,
your body can end up achy.

9. Couples facing towards each other

Sleeping face-to-face allows for more contact than the back-to-back
position, that’s why this position is generally preferred over number 7.
It allows for eye contact, easy cuddling, and is considered to be a
more intimate position since cuddling is so easy.

10. Back-to-back, no contact

This is the progression of number 7 and it’s not a good one. While up
to 55% of couples sleep back-to-back, they still maintain some form of
contact or closeness, even while facing opposite directions. In this
position in particular, there is absolutely no contact to be had. This
position is seen as an indication of relationship problems, but it’s to
be taken with a grain of salt. Sometimes people just want to get to
sleep after a tiring day, so it could mean nothing in that context.